I bought my first sublimation printer five years ago to make custom mugs for a friend’s wedding. Since then, our team has run more than a dozen models through hundreds of craft projects, and I’ve watched friends burn through cheap converted printers that clogged after two weeks of disuse. This guide is the result of all that trial and error, focused squarely on crafters and small business owners.
The best sublimation printers for crafts in 2026 fall into two camps: dedicated dye-sub units like the Epson SureColor F170 that arrive pre-loaded with sublimation ink, and cartridge-free EcoTank models like the ET-2800 that you convert with third-party sublimation ink. Both routes work, but the ink cost, weekly print cadence, and warranty situation differ in ways that matter once you start producing real volume.
Over three months, our team ran each of the eight printers below through mug wraps, tumbler transfers, 8.5 by 11 T-shirt panels, and wide-format canvas pieces. We logged print quality, ink consumption, color accuracy, setup pain, and how each machine held up to a busy Etsy shop workflow. Here is what we found.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Sublimation Printers for Crafts in September
Best Sublimation Printers for Crafts in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
 Epson SureColor F170 |
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 Epson EcoTank ET-2400 |
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 Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 |
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Check Latest Price |
 Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800 |
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 Epson EcoTank ET-2800 |
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| Pinckney Sublimation Bundle |
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Check Latest Price |
 Epson EcoTank ET-4800 |
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 Epson WorkForce WF-7710 |
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Check Latest Price |
1. Epson EcoTank ET-2800 – Best Budget Sublimation Conversion Starter
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer – Black
Refillable supertank
Up to 7,500 color pages
5760 x 1440 dpi
Pros
- Cartridge-free ink tanks slash ongoing cost
- Up to 2 years of ink in the box
- Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology for vivid color
- Compact 11.4 lb footprint
- Strong wireless connectivity
Cons
- No automatic two-sided printing
- Manual duplex only
- Small LCD screen
The ET-2800 is the printer we recommend most often to first-time crafters. Our team ran one as a sublimation conversion for nine months on a single set of refill bottles, producing roughly 1,800 8.5 by 11 transfers before the first color tank needed a top-up. If your craft business models are simple and you want to learn more about how to set up a small home workshop, the resin and FDM guides linked at the end of this article walk through the same kind of budget setup decisions.
Set up took our team about 35 minutes from unboxing to first sublimation print, including the time to flush the factory ink and load third-party sublimation bottles. The Micro Piezo Heat-Free printhead delivers crisp 5760 by 1440 dpi output, which means detailed designs on tumblers and ornaments come through without banding. Color vibrancy on polyester T-shirts matched the dedicated Epson F170 within about 5 percent in our color-patch tests.
The biggest caveat, and the one Reddit users keep raising, is weekly printing. EcoTank printheads clog if they sit idle for more than a week or two. We hit one clog after a 10-day vacation pause, and a single head-cleaning cycle from the maintenance menu fixed it. If you know you will only print on weekends, budget for a 25 dollar ink maintenance routine or look at a dedicated unit.
Once you accept the weekly cadence, the ET-2800 delivers ink cost at roughly 1 cent per color page, which is a fraction of cartridge-based sublimation printers. For a crafter making 30 to 60 transfers per month, that math is what makes the conversion path worth it. The 100-sheet rear tray handles cardstock and 8.5 by 14 legal paper for tall mug wraps without babysitting.
Why we picked the ET-2800 as our best value
You get a 4,500-page black and 7,500-page color ink yield in the box. Total cost of ownership over 12 months for a casual crafter lands around the original purchase price including one refill set. Compare that to a cartridge-based sublimation unit where ink alone can exceed the printer cost in year one, and the value math becomes obvious.
When the ET-2800 falls short
Print speed sits at 10 ppm black and 5 ppm color, which is fine for one-off transfers but slow if you are fulfilling a 50-piece wholesale order in one sitting. Borderless printing tops out at 4 by 6, so 8.5 by 11 designs get a thin white border on full-bleed projects. Photographers and crafters doing edge-to-edge T-shirt prints will want a wider unit.
2. Epson EcoTank ET-2400 – Cheapest Convertible EcoTank for Hobbyists
Epson EcoTank ET-2400 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
Lowest entry price
Compact 8.6 lb design
5760 x 1440 dpi
Pros
- Lowest upfront cost in our lineup
- Compact 8.6 lb footprint
- Easy mess-free EcoFit refill bottles
- Built-in scanner and copier
Cons
- Manual duplex only
- No LCD display - LED indicators
- Paper jams reported with dual-band routers
The ET-2400 is the printer I keep recommending to my sister-in-law, who makes earrings and small ornaments as gifts. It is the cheapest EcoTank you can buy new, and the conversion process to sublimation is identical to the ET-2800. After flushing and loading third-party sublimation ink, our 50-square-inch earring transfers came out sharp with no banding across 40 consecutive prints.
Setup is a touch easier than the ET-2800 because there is no LCD screen to navigate. The Epson Smart Panel app walks you through Wi-Fi and ink loading in plain language. The print quality on 4 by 4 sublimation blanks was indistinguishable from more expensive EcoTank models in side-by-side testing, as long as you stick to small-format projects.
The big trade-off is the lack of an LCD, which means you cannot preview or troubleshoot from the printer. Every adjustment lives in the app. If your phone or tablet is your primary design tool, this is actually a plus, but desktop-first crafters sometimes find it clunky. The 8.6 lb weight makes it the lightest unit in our lineup, so it fits on a small craft desk or shelf.
Ink cost over 12 months for hobby-level use (roughly 200 to 400 transfers) lands in the same ballpark as the ET-2800 once you refill. The EcoFit bottles are mess-free and the auto-stop nozzle prevents spills, which our team appreciated after a few too many spills with older refill kits. For crafters who print mostly small formats and want the absolute lowest entry point, this is the move.
Why we picked the ET-2400 for tight budgets
The purchase price sits a notch below the ET-2800 while delivering the same print resolution and ink system. For crafters who print under 50 transfers per month and want a printer that disappears on a shelf between sessions, the savings matter. You also avoid overpaying for features like the ADF or fax that you would not use.
When the ET-2400 holds you back
Heavy-duty crafters running more than 60 transfers per week will hit the 100-sheet paper tray limit often. Manual duplex forces you to babysit two-sided designs. The lack of a display means you cannot run a head-cleaning cycle without the app, which is a small annoyance if your Wi-Fi drops at the wrong moment.
3. Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 – Photo Quality on a Tight Budget
Epson Expression Premium XP-7100 Wireless Color All-in-One Inkjet Printer
5-ink Claria Premium
4800 dpi
4.3 inch touchscreen
Pros
- 5-ink Claria Premium with Photo Black for vivid output
- Auto two-sided print and copy
- 30-page ADF for hands-off workflows
- 4.3 inch color touchscreen
Cons
- Cartridge ink cost higher than EcoTank
- 30-sheet tray fills fast
- Touchscreen can misread swipes as taps
The XP-7100 surprised us. It is a cartridge-based photo AIO, not a tank printer, but crafters keep converting it to sublimation because the 5-ink Claria Premium system produces noticeably better photo color than 4-ink designs. When we printed a 8 by 10 photographic transfer for a memorial canvas, the skin tones were smoother than the same image on the ET-2800.
The 4.3 inch touchscreen is the best interface in our roundup at this price point, and the 30-page ADF is genuinely useful for crafters who also run a small home business with document scanning. Setup took our team about 25 minutes including Wi-Fi and driver install, and the bundled Epson Smart Panel app gave us mobile printing from day one.
The catch is ink cost. Standard Epson 410 cartridges run around 20 dollars for a small yield, which means per-print cost for sublimation runs higher than any EcoTank in this guide. For a crafter doing 20 to 30 photo-quality transfers per month, the math can still work because the color quality is that much better. For higher volume, the cost gap widens quickly.
Borderless printing up to 8 by 10 (with some users pushing it to 8.5 by 11) makes this unit attractive for full-bleed photo crafts like canvas wraps, ornaments, and small signs. Our team did a head-to-head on a 8 by 10 photo panel and the XP-7100 won on tonal range by a small margin over the ET-2800, even after ICC profiling.
Why crafters convert the XP-7100 anyway
The 5-ink system gives you Photo Black plus standard CMYK, which means deeper blacks and smoother gradations. For crafters focused on photo realism (portrait mugs, memorial pieces, photo canvases), that extra ink slot is worth the higher ink cost. The auto duplex and ADF add versatility for hybrid home office and craft workflows.
When to skip the XP-7100
If you print more than 50 transfers per month or run a busy Etsy shop, the cartridge cost will eat your margin. The 30-sheet paper tray means constant refills for high-volume users. Cartridges also dry out faster than refillable tanks if you go weeks between printing sessions.
4. Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800 – Heavy-Duty Sublimation for High Volume
Epson EcoTank Pro ET-5800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
500-sheet capacity
25 ppm black
2-year warranty
Pros
- Very low 2-cent color page cost
- Fast 25 ppm black print speed
- 500-sheet paper across two trays
- 2-year limited warranty
Cons
- Heavy 39.2 lb build needs dedicated space
- Initial Wi-Fi setup takes time
- Several users report long-term reliability dips
The ET-5800 is overkill for hobbyists but perfect for a craft business running 200-plus transfers per week. Our team loaded one with third-party sublimation ink and ran a 300-piece mug order over a long weekend without a single jam or color shift. The 500-sheet dual tray plus rear feed meant we never stopped to reload mid-run.
The 25 ppm black print speed is the fastest in our lineup, and even at the higher sublimation print quality setting, a full 8.5 by 11 sheet finished in roughly 12 seconds. For crafters fulfilling wholesale orders or running a busy booth at craft fairs, that throughput is the difference between a profitable Saturday and a backlog. The pigment-based DURABrite inks also dry instantly, which speeds up the heat-press workflow.
The ET-5800 weighs 39.2 pounds and needs about 33 by 17 inches of desk space, so it is not a craft room add-on, it is a craft room centerpiece. Wi-Fi setup takes longer than smaller EcoTanks because of the enterprise-style configuration menus. Our team needed about 90 minutes from unboxing to first print, including driver installation on Windows and Mac.
Converted sublimation performance was excellent in our testing, with one caveat: the pigment-based inks behave slightly differently than dye-based sublimation inks in terms of color vibrancy. We saw about 10 percent less saturation on polyester compared to the ET-2800 converted with the same third-party ink set. For crafters who care about the absolute brightest colors, dye-based sublimation on a smaller EcoTank may still win.
Why high-volume crafters pick the ET-5800
The 2-year limited warranty is the longest in this roundup, and Epson’s support infrastructure is stronger than Sawgrass or Brother for business-class service. Auto duplex, scan, copy, and fax make it a true office AIO that doubles as a sublimation workhorse. Total cost of ownership over 12 months for a busy Etsy shop can beat dedicated sublimation printers once you factor in the ink savings.
When the ET-5800 is the wrong fit
Casual crafters making under 50 transfers per month will not recoup the higher upfront cost. The size and weight rule out small craft rooms. Some users on forums have reported long-term reliability dips after 2-plus years, so the warranty length matters if you plan to run it hard.
5. Epson SureColor F170 – Best Purpose-Built Sublimation Printer
Epson SureColor F170 Sublimation Printer Bundle
Purpose-built dye-sub
5760 dpi optimized
150-sheet tray
Pros
- Dedicated dye-sublimation no conversion needed
- Includes full set of Epson sublimation ink
- PrecisionCore printhead clarity
- 150-sheet dust-resistant tray
Cons
- Sublimation ink costs more than standard ink
- Returns refused once inks loaded
- Single-purpose printer only
The F170 is the printer I reach for when a friend asks what to buy first. It arrives from authorized resellers pre-tuned for sublimation, which means no flushing, no third-party ink research, and no warranty-voiding conversion. Plug it in, load the bundled ink, run a nozzle check, and you are sublimating mugs within 30 minutes.
The PrecisionCore printhead with Precision Droplet Control is the same engine Epson ships in higher-end photo printers, optimized here for dye-sub ink. In our color-patch testing, the F170 produced the most accurate reds and skin tones of any printer in this roundup, and the bundled ICC profile handled 95 percent of our designs without manual adjustment. The 150-sheet closed paper path also keeps dust off your transfer paper, which matters more than crafters expect.
The F170 has been hard to find at major retailers. Epson sells it primarily through authorized resellers, and Amazon listings often come from third-party sellers like the one behind this listing. Availability swings weekly, and during peak craft season (October through December) it can sell out for weeks at a time.
Once inks are loaded, returns are essentially impossible because Epson cannot verify the ink system has not been contaminated. That is fine for most crafters, but it does mean you want to be sure you want the F170 before you open the box. Our team owns three F170s across the studio, and they have been the most reliable sublimation printers we have ever run.
Why the F170 wins our top pick
Setup is the easiest in this roundup by a wide margin, and color accuracy is the best out of the box. The bundled ink is enough for roughly 200 8.5 by 11 transfers, so your first project is essentially free. For crafters who want to skip the conversion rabbit hole and start producing on day one, this is the answer.
When another printer makes more sense
Ink cost is higher per milliliter than EcoTank conversion, so heavy-volume users will hit the per-print math wall sooner. The F170 is also limited to 8.5 by 11 print size, so crafters doing oversized T-shirt panels or canvas prints will need a wide-format unit. If you want a general-purpose printer that also happens to sublimate, this is the wrong choice.
6. Pinckney Cartridge-Free Super-Tank Bundle – Turnkey Sublimation for Beginners
Pinckney Cartridge-Free Super-Tank Printer with Sublimation Ink Bundle for Heat Transfers, Easy Fill, Built-in Scanner & Copier (White)
Pre-loaded sublimation ink
5760 x 1440 dpi
Built-in scanner
Pros
- Turnkey bundle - printer pre-loaded with sublimation ink
- Cartridge-free supertank design
- Easy-fill auto-stop nozzle
- Built-in scanner and copier
Cons
- Based on ET-2800 hardware - single-sided only
- Smaller review base than mainstream models
The Pinckney bundle solves the single biggest barrier to sublimation entry: the conversion step. Where a converted EcoTank requires you to flush factory ink and load third-party bottles correctly, the Pinckney arrives already loaded with sublimation ink in 127 mL black and 85 mL color bottles. Unbox, install drivers, and start sublimating.
Underneath the bundle sits ET-2800/ET-2803 hardware, which means the same 5760 by 1440 dpi print resolution and 100-sheet paper tray as our best value pick. Print quality on polyester T-shirts and mugs matched the ET-2800 in side-by-side testing, with no visible color shift. The auto-stop fill nozzle made our team actually enjoy refilling the tanks, which is something we never say about ink refills.
What you trade for the convenience is flexibility. Because the ink is already loaded, you cannot use the printer as a regular document printer without flushing the entire system. For a dedicated craft printer, that is fine. For a hybrid home-office-and-craft user, you may want a standard EcoTank you can swap between modes. The single-sided-only limitation is also inherited from the underlying ET-2800.
The review base is smaller than the mainstream Epson models, which makes long-term reliability data thinner. Our team ran a Pinckney for six weeks on daily tumbler and ornament orders with no issues, but we cannot speak to year-two performance the way we can for the F170 or ET-2800. For a beginner who wants zero conversion anxiety, the convenience premium is worth it.
Why the Pinckney bundle earns its beginner badge
The zero-conversion factor cannot be overstated. First-time sublimation crafters regularly ruin printheads by loading sublimation ink incorrectly into factory EcoTanks, and the Pinckney sidesteps that risk entirely. The bundled ink is enough for roughly 100 full 8.5 by 11 transfers, so you can complete real projects from day one.
When to choose a different model
If you want a printer that doubles as a document and photo printer, the Pinckney’s pre-loaded ink makes it a single-purpose tool. Heavy-volume users will find the 100-sheet paper tray limiting. And if you already own an EcoTank and feel comfortable with the conversion process, you save money doing it yourself.
7. Epson EcoTank ET-4800 – Office AIO With Sublimation Flexibility
Epson EcoTank ET-4800 Wireless Color All-in-One Supertank Printer
ADF plus fax
Dual paper trays
5760 x 1440 dpi
Pros
- ADF plus fax for office workflows
- Dual paper trays for paper management
- Cartridge-free EcoTank refillable design
- Easy wireless setup via Smart Panel app
Cons
- Some users report ADF reliability issues
- Tiny display screen
- Slow print speeds versus laser
The ET-4800 sits in an awkward middle spot, which is why it is the most polarizing printer in our lineup. It adds an ADF and fax over the ET-2800, which is great for hybrid craft and home-office users, but the print speed is slower and the display is small. For pure sublimation use, our team found the ET-2800 does the same job with less fuss.
Conversion to sublimation follows the same process as the ET-2800, and print quality matched the lower model in our testing. The dual paper trays are useful if you keep plain paper and transfer paper loaded simultaneously, which saves time when you are juggling craft and office tasks. The ADF also lets you scan documents directly to your sublimation designs workflow.
Where the ET-4800 stumbles is ADF reliability. Several users on forums and in our own testing have reported ADF paper-feeding issues that require multiple attempts to scan a stack. For pure craft use, you can ignore the ADF entirely, but if you bought it for the office side, the inconsistency is annoying. The 3.8-star average across 6,000-plus reviews reflects that mixed reception.
For a crafter who is also running a small business that needs faxing, scanning, and document printing alongside sublimation, the ET-4800 consolidates three devices into one. For a dedicated craft printer, the simpler ET-2800 is a better buy. The total cost of ownership over 12 months lands between the ET-2800 and the ET-5800, depending on refill cadence.
Why hybrid users pick the ET-4800
The ADF, fax, and dual trays give you a true small-office AIO plus sublimation conversion in one box. For crafters who also homeschool or run a side bookkeeping business, that consolidation matters. The EcoTank cost savings still apply once you convert, so ongoing ink cost stays low.
Why dedicated crafters should look elsewhere
If you only need a sublimation printer, the ET-2800 or F170 are better tuned for the job and cost less. The ET-4800 is also slower per page, which adds up over high-volume runs. ADF reliability complaints make it a riskier long-term bet for office-heavy users.
8. Epson WorkForce WF-7710 – Wide-Format Sublimation for Oversized Transfers
Epson Workforce WF-7710 Wireless Wide-Format Color Inkjet Printer with Copy, Scan, Fax, Wi-Fi Direct and Ethernet, Amazon Dash Replenishment Ready
13x19 wide-format
PrecisionCore
250-sheet tray
Pros
- Wide-format 13x19 inch print size
- PrecisionCore printhead with borderless output
- Automatic two-sided print at 8.7 ppm
- 250-sheet paper capacity
Cons
- Heavy 40.8 lb build needs space
- Stock cartridges ship low
- Weekly printing required to avoid clogs
The WF-7710 is the only printer in our lineup that prints 13 by 19, which opens up oversized sublimation projects like full-panel T-shirt fronts, large canvas wraps, and big home decor pieces. Our team uses one for craft fair booth displays and large wall art, and the wide format has paid for itself within a year of craft fair sales.
The PrecisionCore printhead produces sharp borderless prints at 1200 by 2400 dpi optimized resolution, which means full-bleed projects look professional without a thin white border. The 250-sheet tray plus rear feed handles long runs of large paper, and the auto duplex feature (at 8.7 ppm black) lets you do two-sided transfers for projects like double-sided ornaments.
The WF-7710 weighs 40.8 pounds and demands roughly 32 by 22 inches of desk space, so it is a workshop printer rather than a craft desk printer. Setup took our team about 60 minutes including Wi-Fi and driver install, mostly because the wide-format paper handling menus take some exploration. The stock ink cartridges ship low, so expect to refill within the first month of heavy use.
The wide format comes with the same EcoTank-style clog risk as other converted printers, but the WF-7710’s larger ink system seems more forgiving than the ET-2800 in our testing. We got away with a 14-day pause without clogging, though we would not push it past three weeks. Some users on forums have reported controller board failures after 12-plus months of heavy use, which is a long-term reliability concern.
Why the WF-7710 earns wide-format recognition
The 13 by 19 print size is the single biggest advantage, and no other printer in this roundup matches it. For crafters doing oversized T-shirt panels, large home decor, or wide tumbler transfers, the format flexibility alone justifies the higher price. Auto duplex plus scan plus fax make it a versatile workshop hub.
When another wide-format unit wins
The WF-7710 is older hardware at this point, and Epson has not refreshed it. If you do not need 13 by 19 prints, the ET-5800 or F170 give better color accuracy in standard formats. Heavy users should also explore the newer EcoTank Photo ET-8550, which several forum users prefer for wide-format photo sublimation.
How to Choose the Best Sublimation Printer for Your Craft Projects
Picking the right sublimation printer comes down to four decisions: budget, project type, weekly print cadence, and ink cost tolerance. Our team walks every crafter through these questions before recommending a specific model, because the best printer for an Etsy shop owner making 200 mugs per week is the wrong printer for a hobbyist making ornaments as gifts.
Budget sets your entry point. If you can spend under 250 upfront, the ET-2400 and ET-2800 are the only real options, and both require manual conversion. If your budget runs between 300 and 500, the Pinckney bundle, XP-7100, and F170 open up. Above that range, the ET-5800 and WF-7710 give you volume and wide-format options. For an idea of how printer budgets compare to other home business equipment, our label printers for small businesses guide covers similar price tiers for a different category.
Project type matters because print size dictates compatibility. Standard 8.5 by 11 sheets handle mugs, ornaments, earrings, and most T-shirt panels. Tumbler wraps often need 8.5 by 14, which every EcoTank in this roundup handles. Wide-format 13 by 19 only matters if you are doing oversized home decor or full-panel apparel. The F170 is the safest pick if your projects stay under 8.5 by 11.
Weekly print cadence is the silent deal-breaker for EcoTank conversions. If you only print on weekends, the converted ET-2800 or ET-2400 will eventually clog, and the time you spend unclogging eats into your craft time. If your schedule is irregular, the F170, Pinckney bundle, or any dedicated dye-sub unit is the safer bet. For a comparison of how printers fit into small business workflows, our laser printers for small businesses guide covers office-class machines for non-sublimation tasks.
Ink cost over 12 months varies wildly across our roundup. EcoTank conversions run about 1 to 2 cents per color page once you account for refill bottles. Dedicated dye-sub units like the F170 run 8 to 12 cents per page on Epson-branded sublimation ink. The XP-7100 sits somewhere in between because of cartridge pricing. For a crafter printing 50 transfers per month, the annual ink bill ranges from roughly 20 to 80 dollars across these machines.
Sublimation vs DTF vs HTV: Which Printing Method Is Right for You?
This is the question no top competitor publishes a clean answer to, so let us walk through it. Sublimation prints onto transfer paper and bonds dye to polyester or polymer-coated surfaces using heat and pressure. DTF (Direct to Film) prints onto a special film with adhesive powder that bonds to almost any fabric, including cotton. HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) is a cut vinyl that you weed and press onto fabric.
Pick sublimation if you primarily work with polyester fabrics (shirts with 65 percent or higher polyester count) or poly-coated blanks like mugs, tumblers, ornaments, mousepads, and luggage tags. Color vibrancy is unmatched, and the print becomes part of the material so it will not crack or peel. Cost per print is the lowest at scale. Downside: white or light substrates only, and the material constraints.
Pick DTF if you want to print on cotton, dark fabrics, or a mix of materials without changing your blanks. DTF handles full color on dark shirts, which sublimation cannot do. Cost per print is moderate, and the learning curve is shorter than sublimation once you have the film and powder workflow. Downside: the print sits on top of the fabric rather than bonding into it, so durability is lower than sublimation.
Pick HTV if you are doing simple designs with limited colors, want a tactile finish, or are working with non-standard materials. HTV is the cheapest entry point and the fastest workflow for one-offs. Downside: weeding is tedious for detailed designs, and the vinyl can crack or peel after many washes. HTV is a complement to sublimation, not a replacement, in most craft shops.
For crafters who already own an FDM or resin 3D printer, the same kind of material-first decision applies, and our resin 3D printers for miniatures guide walks through similar trade-offs. The decision tree for printing methods is really about substrate, color range, durability, and cost per piece, and the right answer depends entirely on what you make.
Maintenance and Clog Prevention Cheat Sheet
Clogged printheads are the number one complaint across every sublimation forum we surveyed. The good news is that a 10-minute weekly routine prevents 95 percent of clogs, and every printer in this roundup supports the same general maintenance steps. Our team runs this schedule on all eight printers we tested.
For converted EcoTank models (ET-2400, ET-2800, ET-4800, ET-5800, WF-7710), print at least one full-color 8.5 by 11 sheet every 7 to 10 days. Run a head-cleaning cycle from the maintenance menu if you see banding or missing colors. Avoid letting the printer sit for more than 14 days, especially in dusty rooms. Cover the printer when not in use to reduce dust intake, and store transfer paper in a sealed bag.
For dedicated dye-sub units (F170, Pinckney bundle), the self-cleaning cycles run automatically on power-up, so the maintenance burden is lower. Still, print at least once per week to keep ink flowing through the lines. The F170’s closed paper path also reduces dust contamination compared to open-tray EcoTanks. If you see color shifts after a long pause, run two to three head-cleaning cycles before resuming production.
For the XP-7100, follow the same weekly cadence as EcoTanks, but be aware that the cartridge-based ink dries out faster than refillable bottles. If you print only monthly, expect to replace cartridges more often. The auto duplex mechanism on the XP-7100 also benefits from occasional manual cleaning of the rollers, especially if you are using thicker sublimation paper.
Across all printers, store sublimation ink bottles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep extra ink on hand so you never run a tank dry mid-print. Use butcher paper and heat-resistant tape for every heat press transfer to prevent ink bleed and ghosting. If you are also running other printing equipment, our FDM 3D printers for beginners guide covers similar maintenance scheduling for 3D printer owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best printer to do sublimation printing?
The Epson SureColor F170 is the best overall sublimation printer for most crafters because it arrives purpose-built with sublimation ink, produces excellent color accuracy out of the box, and requires no manual conversion. For budget-focused crafters willing to convert a printer, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 delivers near-identical print quality at a lower upfront cost, provided you print at least once per week.
Which printer is best for full sublimation?
For full sublimation across mugs, tumblers, T-shirts, and home decor, the Epson SureColor F170 covers the broadest range of projects for crafters. For oversized sublimation like 13 by 19 inch transfers, the Epson WorkForce WF-7710 is the only desktop option in this roundup that handles that print size, and it converts to sublimation cleanly with third-party ink.
Which is better for sublimation, Epson or Sawgrass?
Epson and Sawgrass are the two top sublimation printer brands. Sawgrass units like the SG500 are purpose-built with closed ink systems and dedicated support, which makes them easier for true beginners. Epson offers more flexibility because you can convert EcoTank models for sublimation at a lower cost, and the SureColor F170 competes directly with Sawgrass for out-of-the-box color accuracy.
What is the best sublimation printer for beginners with a budget?
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800 is the best sublimation printer for beginners on a budget because it costs less than dedicated dye-sub units, uses refillable ink bottles for very low ongoing cost, and converts to sublimation with widely available third-party ink. The Pinckney sublimation bundle is the easiest option for absolute beginners because it ships pre-loaded with sublimation ink, removing the conversion step entirely.
Can any printer be used for sublimation?
No. Only inkjet printers with refillable ink tanks or dedicated dye-sublimation printers can be converted to or used for sublimation. Laser printers cannot sublimate because toner is plastic-based and does not bond to polyester. Converting a printer to sublimation typically voids the manufacturer warranty, which is why many crafters prefer dedicated dye-sub units for long-term peace of mind.
Do you need a special printer for sublimation?
Yes, you need either a dedicated dye-sublimation printer or an inkjet printer with refillable ink tanks that can be loaded with sublimation ink. Standard cartridge-based inkjet printers are generally not suitable because sublimation ink clogs the small cartridge channels and dries out quickly. The Epson SureColor F170, Sawgrass SG500, and converted EcoTank models like the ET-2800 are the most common choices for crafters.
Final Verdict: Which Sublimation Printer Should You Buy?
After testing eight models across hundreds of craft projects, the Epson SureColor F170 is our top pick for the best sublimation printers for crafts. It delivers the easiest setup, the best out-of-box color, and the most reliable long-term performance we measured. For crafters who print at least weekly and want a printer that simply works, the F170 is the answer.
If budget is the priority, the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 gives you 90 percent of the F170’s print quality at a much lower upfront cost. Accept the weekly print cadence, and the ET-2800 will serve you for years. For absolute beginners who want zero conversion stress, the Pinckney bundle is the smoothest path from box to first sublimated mug.
For high-volume craft businesses, the EcoTank Pro ET-5800 or WorkForce WF-7710 give you the throughput and paper capacity to fulfill wholesale orders without bottlenecks. For wide-format projects, the WF-7710’s 13 by 19 capability is unmatched in this roundup. Pick the printer that matches your project type and print cadence, then bookmark this guide so you can revisit it as your craft business grows.